I don't actually have a reason for trying to build a Linux kernel with the CONFIG_PREEMPT_RT patch set. There's no way I can even measure the impact of it. Still, I felt like having a "real-time" Linux box, and set out to make one. Little did I know how difficult it would be to even get started.

Ardour was pretty unusable last time I tried it. And this is after using real DAW software like Ableton Live, Cubase, Reaper and Logic Pro. I'm sure it got better, but I'd choose Reaper over it any day of the week.